The Roman Catholic Bishop of Aberdeen, Mario Conti, admitted to the programme that it was "possible, yes it's possible" that the nuns may have mistreated the children.

"We are human beings. We are all flawed and fallible and members of religious orders are no different. So it's possible. That it is probable I am not so sure, though some people clearly have a memory of having been treated badly, as they see it, in regard to bed-wetting."

"There are some people before whom lawyers have been dangling a pot of gold. There are a whole range of possible motives, some of which are perhaps more understandable and more acceptable and others more reprehensible.

The Bishop added: "I am simply saying that some people have been making fantastical accusations against the sisters."

Lawyers for those who have come forward to make the allegations say that if the sisters do not settle out of court, they will put forward six test cases for compensation.

Frontline Scotland says that according to their financial records, the Poor Sisters are worth £154m in Britain alone.